Cooper Flips North Carolina Senate Seat as Votes Are Counted

Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s Senate race, flipping a Republican-held seat, while election-night returns showed Democrats gaining ground in several contests as votes continued to be counted nationwide. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff also won reelection in Georgia, and Democrat Chris Pappas defeated former Sen. John Sununu in New Hampshire, according to reported race calls. The victories strengthened Democratic prospects in the Senate, but the results available during election-night coverage did not settle which party would control either chamber of Congress. Republicans also held or won seats in Senate and House contests. The reported results included Republican Senate victories in Kentucky, Florida and Oklahoma, along with wins and reelection bids by members of both parties in House districts around the country. Several closely contested races remained pending in the live reports, leaving the overall balance of power undetermined. Democrats entered Election Day needing a net gain of four Senate seats to take control, according to one election-results account. Cooper’s win provided one pickup. In the House, Democrats were seeking to overcome a...